MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s leader in renewable energy generation, has announced a solar design competition for projects and structures that offer fresh ideas for how to harness the sun’s energy to benefit electric customers in the state.

The Santee Cooper Solar Design Competition is open to individuals or groups representing any college or university within South Carolina; groups may include industry vendors and other professionals. Cash awards will be made to the collegiate program represented by the best submissions. Santee Cooper reserves the right to build one or more of the submitted designs, which should be replicable at various locations and not dependent on a pre-existing structure as part of the design.

“Santee Cooper introduced renewable Green Power, including solar power, to utility customers in South Carolina. We installed our first solar power project in 2006,” said Marc Tye, senior vice president of customer service. “This competition seeks to build on that record by encouraging creative designs with practical applications and benefits that could help spur development of additional solar power generation across the state. And if there are designs submitted that are practical for our customers, we will consider using them in adding to our Green Power fleet.”

The contest also offers an applied educational opportunity for college students, Tye noted. Submissions are due April 10, 2013 and winners will be announced in May. To learn more, email Liz Kress at elizabeth.kress@santeecooper.com.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer. The ultimate source of electricity for 2 million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com

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